Algonquin Death Ruled A Suicide

July 19, 1990

WOODSTOCK — A McHenry County coroner`s jury has confirmed statements by police and prosecutors that the controversial March 17 death of a young police dispatcher in the home of an Algonquin police lieutenant was a suicide.

The death of Molly Hudson, 20, in the home of Algonquin Lt. Steven Schinkel, sparked a call by a citizens` group for an investigation into a series of alleged wrongdoings by Algonquin police officers. This month, Schinkel, 39, was suspended and charged by Algonquin`s village president and police chief with seven counts of misconduct surrounding incidents involving Hudson. The coroner`s panel made its ruling Tuesday evening.

Witnesses at the inquest said that Hudson had had an affair with Schinkel for a year and a half, and was distraught over his relationship with his ex-wife. Investigators said they found a suicide note, and also disclosed that Hudson had been hospitalized for five weeks after allegedly attempting suicide in December 1988.